How do I create a preview for one prop?

[aknflyer]

I am struggling with creating a preview for one single prop. It always shows my whole background.  I would like to create a preview for each single item to help with sequencing.
I cannot seem to find the answer anywhere.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ebuechner]

I think what you're looking for is model preview. It will show the current active model in a separate screen.

[Gilrock]

There are ways to create additional preview windows but it doesn't sound like that's what you need.  While you are on the sequencing grid whatever model you have selected by click on an effect or a row header will show up in the Model Preview window.  If you create additional preview windows in the Layout tab then yes they all share the same physical background space currently.

[aknflyer]

Ok that works to show in the left panel. How do you create a model window that is seperate and sizable as shown in multiple videos?
I am finding the layout, model, setup confusing.

[Ebuechner]

You can grab & Drag the model preview window to wherever you want and resize it just left click and drag in the top bar to move it. You can do this with all of the windows in xlights to customize your layout to your needs. This is very handy for a dual monitor setup. Just a hint dual monitors with xlights will make sequencing a lot easier.

[Gilrock]

Yes it works like most standard programs where you can tear away the panels and leave them floating or dock them somewhere else.  Hold down the control key to prevent them from docking in a location where you really want them to float.

[aknflyer]

Thank you, that worked. I do not know why I did not stumble across that in all my messing around. I am sure I have many more questions, but this gets me past the next hurdle.

[aknflyer]

I had it working for the arches. Added a megatree and star, now when I open the model preview I get a blank window. How do I get it to focus on the one prop? And can I save a model preview for each prop?
This is not intuitive. Not finding the answer on searches.

[keithsw1111]

When you click on an effect the model that effect is on is displayed in the model preview.

[Gilrock]

The row heading that is highlighted will be the model that is shown in the model preview window.  The row highlights by clicking on the row, selecting an effect on that row, or dropping on effect on the row.

[aknflyer]

Ok, I did not have any effects on the tree yet, hence no preview. I expected to see the outline of the tree in the model preview. My bad...
You people are so helpful, I am sure this is not my last question as I work through this. Your help is greatly appreciated!

[aknflyer]

This is so frustrating. I created a megatree, added a effect, no display in model window. Went back to arch, first effect ok, second effect wont display. What am I missing? Seems like it should'nt be this hard.

[dwbarnett]

aknflyer, make sure on your setup tab you have enough channels for the mega. You can't just draw the tree and have it display.   You also have to have enough universe/channels for the tree. Also on layout tab, you have defined a start channel for the tree.

Most likely, the arch is on universe 1 channel 1 so it plays with no issues.

Most importantly, please have a looksee at the xlights manual. It has a great getting started tutorial in it. There are also several posted on the videos link of the xlights.org site.  It is one of the best manuals I have ever seen for a software of this nature. It is a little dated, covers up to version 45, hoping at some point it will be updated again.  I had heard at this time it is not being worked on unfortunately, however version available now will get you a long ways.

Finally, Gil's layout in 10 minutes is very helpful as well.    This is a great community, feel free to ask questions. Most are friendly in responses, some can be a little terse at times.   Good info non the less.

Hope this give you some troubleshooting to get the tree going.

Best,
David

[aknflyer]

I got it, problem with effects in both cases.
I havent mapped any channels yet, as do not have the f16v3 yet, soon hopefully. Mapping to controller not required for sequencing.
I have a spreadsheet for channel / universe numbers, no overlaps, no errors in check sequence.
I have a binder with the manual, and check it step by step.
I just get stuck sometimes and no one in Alaska I have found for help.

On a side note: I was considering a Lila animation on the tree for one song. I have a 270 degree, 24 String tree.
Question: Can you import the 16 string sequence and spread it across 24 strings? Or would / should you just use the center 16 strings for the sequence?

[Gilrock]

It's best to just create a big block of channels to cover the models even if you don't map them yet.  Once you start rendering and saving which creates FSEQ files and then you add more models it doesn't always create the extra space you need in the render buffers.  You say you have problem with effects but I didn't read exactly what the problems are.